12 minute read
Managing Stress
STRESSED Why are we all so —and what to do about it?
BY DR. MICHELLE YETMAN
Have you been feeling tense lately? Have you noticed that simple interactions with store clerks, support staff, or co-workers have suddenly turned into a tense, stressful episode?
Since when did Americans, who have the international reputation of being friendly and outgoing, become a stressed-out bunch of individuals? Over two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, the long-term psychological effects can still be felt. While acute levels of anxiety and depression that were experienced during the early stages of the pandemic may have subsided for many, evidence of pandemic-related stress in the form of burnout is becoming more of a concern. Employees have had to learn more, do more, and adapt more. The buzz word from last year was ‘pivot,’ meaning, you had to suddenly shift your way of doing business. While change can be exciting and good, too much change coming too fast and for too long can result in stress. Even watching the morning news invites stressors, such as a volatile stock market and an increasingly unstable situation in Europe. Given these facts, it is not surprising that many individuals may find themselves facing increasing levels of stress. For many, stress may begin to manifest as ‘burnout’ in the workplace. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), burnout results from chronic workplace stress characterized by feelings of exhaustion or energy depletion, negative or cynical feelings related to a job, and reduced professional efficacy. Burnout is a state of mental and physical exhaustion that can zap the joy out of your career, friendships, and family interactions.
Continual exposure to stressful situations, like caring for an ill family member, working long hours, or witnessing upsetting news related to politics and school safety can lead to this stress condition. Our bodies are not unbreakable machines. Physically and mentally, our bodies can only stay in a state of stress for so long before negative things begin to happen. Since when did Americans, who have the international repu tation of being friendly and outgoing, become a stressed-out bunch of individuals? Over two years into the COVID-19 pan demic, the long-term psychological effects can still be felt. While acute levels of anxiety and depression that were experi enced during the early stages of the pandemic may have subsid ed for many, evidence of pandemic-related stress in the form of burnout is becoming more of a concern. Ironically, many individuals do not recognize when they are experiencing burnout. Since the signs are not always easy to spot, burnout can slowly build over time until it reaches a crisis level. Thus, it is important to be aware of the signs and symptoms so you can protect yourself against burnout. Like most things in life, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. While burnout is not a diagnosable psychological disorder, that does not mean it shouldn't be taken seriously. Employees have had to learn more, do more, and adapt more. The buzz word from last year was ‘pivot,’ meaning, you had to Here are some of the most common signs of burnout: suddenly shift your way of doing business. While change can be Increased Work Stress. Did you used to like your job and feel exciting and good, too much change coming too fast and for too competent at it but not anymore? Individuals experiencing long can result in stress. Even watching the morning news in- burnout view their jobs as increasingly stressful and frustrating. They may grow cynical about their working conditions and ingly unstable situation in Europe. Given these facts, it is not the people with whom they work. They also may begin to isolate and pull away from colleagues who could provide support. increasing levels of stress. For many, stress may begin to mani They may begin to feel numb, angry, or resentful about work fest as ‘burnout’ in the workplace. and no longer find pleasure in it. Physical symptoms. The mind-body connection is clear. Stress often first shows up physically. Chronic stress may lead to of exhaustion or energy depletion, negative or cynical feelings physical symptoms, like headaches and stomachaches or intesrelated to a job, and reduced professional efficacy. Burnout is a tinal issues. Sleep problems, such as fatigue or insomnia, may state of mental and physical exhaustion that can zap the joy out also present. of your career, friendships, and family interactions. Continual exposure to stressful situations, like caring for an ill family member, working long hours, or witnessing upsetting news related to politics and school safety can lead to this stress condition. Our bodies are not unbreakable machines. Physically and mentally, our bodies can only stay in a state of stress for so long before negative things begin to happen. Ironically, many individuals do not recognize when they are experiencing burnout. Since the signs are not always easy to spot, burnout can slowly build over time until it reaches a crisis level. Thus, it is important to be aware of the signs and symptoms so you can protect yourself against burnout. Like most things in life, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. While burnout is not a diagnosable psychological disorder, that does not mean it shouldn't be taken seriously.
Here are some of the most common signs of burnout:
Increased Work Stress. Did you used to like your job and feel competent at it but not anymore? Individuals experiencing burnout view their jobs as increasingly stressful and frustrating. They may grow cynical about their working conditions and the people with whom they work. They also may begin to isolate and pull away from colleagues who could provide support. They may begin to feel numb, angry, or resentful about work and no longer find pleasure in it. Physical symptoms. The mind-body connection is clear. Stress often first shows up physically. Chronic stress may lead to physical symptoms, like headaches and stomachaches or intestinal issues. Sleep problems, such as fatigue or insomnia, may also present.
Emotional exhaustion. Emotional exhaustion. Where an individual was once an ef- Where an individual was once an ef ficient, productive employee, burnout causes people to feel ficient, productive employee, burnout causes people to feel drained, unable to cope, and tired. They often lack the energy to drained, unable to cope, and tired. They often lack the energy to get their work done. This can result is irritability and impatience get their work done. This can result is irritability and impatience with others. Reduced performance. Burnout affects everyday tasks at work— or in the home—when someone's main job involves caring for fam-or in the home—when someone's main job involves caring for fam ily members. Individuals with burnout feel negatively about tasks. ily members. Individuals with burnout feel negatively about tasks. Concentration and focus problems are common. It is hard to feel creative and enthusiastic about work when you are suffering from creative and enthusiastic about work when you are suffering from burnout. Most people have been in a period of prolonged stress before they Most people have been in a period of prolonged stress before they begin to recognize the negative effects. Once you recognize you begin to recognize the negative effects. Once you recognize you may be suffering from burnout, it is important to begin to take immediate action. Here are a few steps you can take: immediate action. Here are a few steps you can take: 1. Take Control / Make Changes Taking immediate action, even in small ways can be empowering. Is it necessary you even in small ways can be empowering. Is it necessary you attend every meeting in person all week? There are only 24 attend every meeting in person all week? There are only 24 hours in a day. You need to prioritize what is important to you and be okay with leaving something on tomorrow’s ‘to you and be okay with leaving something on tomorrow’s ‘to do’ list. Delegate whenever possible; do not try to be the do’ list. Delegate whenever possible; do not try to be the hero. Know it is okay to ask for help. hero. Know it is okay to ask for help. 2. Talk to Someone Use the support of your work colleagues, Use the support of your work colleagues, friends, or a therapist. Burnout is a very real and quite com friends, or a therapist. Burnout is a very real and quite common phenomenon. During certain stages in life, e.g., work-mon phenomenon. During certain stages in life, e.g., work ing women with young children at home, juggling it all can ing women with young children at home, juggling it all can seem impossible. Other people have been where you have seem impossible. Other people have been where you have been. Reach out for help, guidance, support, or just a good been. Reach out for help, guidance, support, or just a good listening ear.
3. Recharge Your Battery You know what they say about all work and no play? Not only does it make you dull, but it will also make you very unhappy. Every day, practice some form of selfcare. Do something that makes you happy. Walk for 30 minutes in the sunshine at lunchtime. Too busy? Close your office door and meditate for 5 minutes. Do something for yourself every day that recharges you and makes you feel happy. Remember to leave work at work (if possible), but at a minimum, have a cut off time. 4. Practice Preventive Mental Health We all need to be vigilant about protecting our mental health. Making sure to get good quality sleep every night, eat healthy, exercise and spend time with friends and family are important ways to protect mental health. It is important to note that burnout shares many of the symptoms with other more serious mental health conditions such as depression. Depression can be a life-threatening condition and individuals with depression often experience negative feelings and thoughts about all aspects of life, not just at work. Depression symptoms may also include a loss of interest in things, feelings of hopelessness, cognitive and physical symptoms as well as thoughts of suicide. If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 for support and assistance from a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911. Michelle Yetman, PhD, is a Clinical Psychologist and Clinical Associate Professor Clinical at the Children’s Center at the School of Allied Health Professions at LSU Health Shreveport. You know what they say about all work and no play? Not only does it make you dull, but it will also make you very unhappy. Every day, practice some form of selfcare. Do something that makes you happy. Walk for 30 min utes in the sunshine at lunchtime. Too busy? Close your office door and meditate for 5 minutes. Do something for yourself every day that recharges you and makes you feel happy. Re member to leave work at work (if possible), but at a minimum, It is important to note that burnout shares many of the symptoms with other more serious mental health conditions such as depres sion. Depression can be a life-threatening condition and individu als with depression often experience negative feelings and thoughts about all aspects of life, not just at work. Depression symptoms may also include a loss of interest in things, feelings of hopelessness, cognitive and physical symptoms as well as thoughts of suicide. If you are having suicidal thoughts, con Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 for support or. If you or a loved one are in immedi
Michelle Yetman, PhD, is a Clinical
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Iwas born and raised right here in Bossier City, where I attended Apollo Elementary, Greenacres Middle School, and Airline High School. I went to Middle School, and Airline High School. I went to undergrad at LSU, then dental school at LSU School of Dentistry. I am happily married to my beautiful wife, Rebekah, and have two wonderful sons, Patrick (2) and Luke (3 months).
I went into dentistry because I wanted to be in the health profession like my mom and dad. My mom was an RN, and my dad was a CRNA. I got out of braces in high school, and my self-confidence improved because of my smile. I was no longer worried about having a large diastema (gap) in my upper front teeth. That, and my parents, helped steer me towards dentistry. It just so happens that my now mother-in-law was a dental hygienist, and I got to observe her and her office. It confirmed my thoughts of wanting to go into the dental profession.
I have always had a passion for helping others, pretty much like anybody else, but I wanted to help improve their comfort at the dentist and their smile. We have many people who come to Hooper Family Dentistry, who have had previous bad experiences. One of our main goals is to make a patient feel comfortable and to build trust. We try to listen then assess. I aim to help a patient understand anything I am doing, which will help build trust. I welcome questions and try to treat everyone how I want to be treated. Of course, I also want to help a patient smile more, whether that is just making someone feel comfortable, getting somebody out of pain, performing a simple filling, giving someone a smile back with dentures or partials, or doing veneers/crowns.
God has blessed me, and I hope to pass His blessing onto others. I love being back home and being able to help my community.
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